Russia and North Korea open first road bridge between the two countries

North Korea and Russia opened their first road bridge on Monday, Russia's TASS state ​news agency reported, a structure which spans the ‌Tumen river and which both sides cast as an important milestone in their strategic partnership.

The bridge is located near ​the existing "Friendship Bridge", a rail bridge which ​was commissioned in 1959 after the Korean ⁠war. There are already direct air and rail ​links between Moscow and Pyongyang.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin ​said the bridge should spur development between the two countries in various spheres - including tourism - and create new jobs.

"I am ​convinced that the expansion of cross-border transport infrastructure ​will provide a powerful impetus for the further development of ‌trade, ⁠economic, scientific, technological and cultural cooperation," TASS cited Mishustin as saying at the bridge's opening ceremony via video link.

Construction of the new bridge, which had ​been under discussion ​for years, ⁠began in April last year after its construction was agreed during a visit ​by President Vladimir Putin to North ​Korea ⁠in 2024.

The two countries' ties have grown stronger since the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022 ⁠with ​Pyongyang sending thousands of troops ​to Russia's Kursk region to help repel a 2024 Ukrainian incursion ​there.